Source citations are references that indicate where information was obtained. In genealogy, it is important to document and provide detailed information about the sources of information in our family tree. Without proper source citations, it is difficult to trace the origin of information and assess its reliability. Inaccurate information can lead to false assumptions, mistakes, and inconsistencies. Acquiring the ability to write accurate and complete source citations is a vital skill for genealogy researchers. Proper citation of sources enables researchers to track their work, avoid duplication of effort, and build upon the research of others.
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What is a source?
A source provides information such as a record, document, book, or website. In genealogy, two basic types of sources are used: original and derivative.
Original sources containing primary information are considered the most reliable type of source in genealogy. Original sources are records or documents created at the time of the event by a person who was there or had direct knowledge of what happened. They provide direct evidence of the events they describe. Some examples of original sources are birth, marriage and death registrations, church records of baptisms, marriages and burials, and property records created when land was bought or sold.
Derivative sources are created, copied or derived from other sources, and are created after the fact. Some examples of derivative sources are indices, transcriptions, abstracts and compiled family histories. This type of source is considered less reliable because it is more prone to error.
The 5 W’s of a Genealogy Source Citation
According to Thomas W. Jones in his book Mastering Genealogical Documentation, there are five questions genealogists need to answer before writing a source citation.
- Who created the source, and/or who holds the source?
- What is the source?
- When was the source created or published?
- Where within the source is the information?
- Where is the source located?
A good source citation includes the answers to all of these questions. It should include all or most of the following elements:
- the author or creator of the record
- who the record belongs to (government agency, private repository)
- the name or title of the record
- what type of source it is, especially if the source is a physical object such as a headstone
- details of the document such as volume, catalogue, identification number, page number
- the date the record was created or published
- the name of the person in the record
- where the record is held, or where the digital image was accessed
- when the record was accessed
Here is an example of a source citation that answers the five W’s:
“1901 Census of Canada,” Ontario, Middlesex, London, district 87, sub-district C, division 13, p. 6, dwelling 59, family 59, entry for Sarah J (4 yrs) in the household of George Irwin; database with digitized microfilm images, Library and Archives Canada (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1901/Pages/about-census.aspx : accessed 26 Mar 2023), item no. 2462727; citing Canada, Ottawa, Library and Archives Canada, RG 31, microfilm T-6481.
Citation Styles
There are several citation style guides and formats available.
- The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used in academic writing, particularly in the liberal arts and humanities. It is a popular citation style in the United States. This format is not usually used in genealogy.
- Published by the University of Chicago Press, the Chicago Manual of Style is a style guide for American English. Writers, editors and publishers widely use this style in history, literature, social sciences, and other fields. Genealogists frequently use this style.
- Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills. This is a comprehensive guide to citing sources in genealogy and historical research covering various source types, including census, vital, and military records. When it comes to genealogy source citations, this is the “go-to” resource.
- Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones: This book provides guidance on conducting a thorough and accurate analysis of genealogical evidence, including evaluating and citing sources correctly.
Be cautious about source citations provided by genealogy software and websites. They have different ways of recording and displaying source citations, and often essential details are missing.
Writing source citations is more of an art than a science. The key to writing good source citations is to be thorough and consistent. Once you have learned how to write source citations, develop your own master source citation template. Using a template can help save time and maintain consistency in source citation style.
Explore more about source citations
- Historical records on MyHeritage
- Citing Genealogy Sources: Why & How to Add Source Citations, article by Daniella Levy on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base
- Sources and Citations Made Simple, Standard, and Powerful, webinar by Geoff Rasmussen on Legacy Family Tree Webinars